AIRF to conduct secret ballot for indefinite strike on 11-12th, February 2016

All affiliated unions of AIRF had conducted Strike Ballot on 37 Point Charter of Demands in the month of December, 2013. After Strike Ballot, 7th CPC was appointed by a Notification by the Govt. on 28th February, 2014 and some of the issues were partially resolved. In the meantime General Election of Country was convened, we had to postponed the strike as per decision of the General Council of AIRF held at Kota 9W. C. Railway) in February, 2014. The new Govt. led by Shri Narendra Modi took oath on 26th May, 2014. The next General Council of AIRF held in July, 2014 postponed the strike decision further to provide time to the new Govt. to settle. But the same Govt. instead of reciprocrating the good gesture issued notification on 22nd August, 2014 permitting 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Construction, Operation and Maintenance and after one month i.e. on 22nd September, 2014 appointed a Committee headed by Shri BibekDebroy for re-structuring of Indian Railways.

STRIKE BALLOT

The new Govt. led by Shri Narendra Modi took oath on 26th May, 2014. The next General Council of AIRF held in July, 2014 postponed the strike decision further to provide time to the new Govt. to settle. But the same Govt. instead of reciprocrating the good gesture issued notification on 22nd August, 2014 permitting 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Construction, Operation and Maintenance and after one month i.e. on 22nd September, 2014 appointed a Committee headed by Shri BibekDebroy for re-structuring of Indian Railways.

The Committee had since submitted its report drawing a road – map for privatisation of Indian Railways through contractorisation. Inspite all out protest by all affiliated union of AIRF and other Central Govt. Employee’s organisation Govt. did not stop in taking all antilabour steps, rather escalating the same. The 7th CPC was appointed to submit its report within 18 months i.e. by August, 2015. During deliberations of NC/JCM with the Pay Commission, Justice A. K. Mathur, the Chairman of the 7th CPC assured that he would submit the report to the Govt. on 28th August, 2015. But the Govt. extended the date for submission of the report by 4 months.

The Pay Commission has submitted its report on 19th November, 2015, which is over loaded with all antilabour recommendations. The National Joint Council of Action has submitted a rejoinder to the report to the Govt. on 10th December, 2015 and AIRF has submitted two rejoinders on the report of 7th CPC to the Ministry of Railways on 14th& 15th December, 2015, fixing a time frame of 1st week of February, 2016 for a negotiated settlement failing which all the Central Govt. Employees including Railways would be compelled to launch an indefinite strike from any date from 1st week of March, 2016. There was only a preliminary discussion with the Govt. on 12th December, 2015.

The Govt. has formed a Committee of Empowered Secretaries of the Govt. of India headed by the Cabinet Secretary. Finding no further response Com. Shiva Gopal Mishra, the Convenor of National JCA has sent a communication to the Union Finance Minister on 21st January, 2016 highlighting the protest Dharna launched by all Central Govt. Employees Organisations across the country from 19th to 21st January, 2016. The empowered Committee of Secretaries of the Govt. of India headed by the Cabinet Secretary has also been appointed by the Govt. on 27.01.2016 to process the implementation of the report of 7th CPC. The 2nd Strike Ballot perforced by FDI, Deb Roy Committee’s report, anti labour report of 7th CPC etc. would be conducted on 11th& 12th February, 2016 on the following Charter of Demands.

CHARTER OF DEMANDS

1. To improve Minimum Wage of Rs.18,000/- and multiplying factor. Reject all the retrograde recommendations of the VII CPC.
2. Scrap National Pension Scheme(NPS) and restore Old Pension Scheme for all those who appointed on or after 01.01.2004.
3. Settle 36-point Charter of Demands, include reduction in duty hours, removal of anomalies of 6th CPC, removal of ceiling of Rs.3500 for PLB, grievances of different categories of railwaymen, improvement in the medical facilities, railway quarters etc. etc., already submitted to Ministry of Railways by the AIRF in December, 2013(on which strike ballot was conducted on 20th and 21st December, 2013).
4. Scrap Report of Bibek Deb Roy Committee and implement positive recommendations of D.P. Tripathi Committee.
5. Re-call the Notification issued by the Government of India on 22nd August, 2014 in the matter of 100% FDI in Construction, Operation and Maintenance of Indian Railways and to scrap all the agreements entered with the Foreign/National Companies in detriment to the interest of the Indian Railways and the country as a whole.
6. Stop all anti-workers amendments in the labour-laws.
7. Injustice done with the Technicians, Technical Supervisors(Engineers), Loco & Traffic Running Staff, Operating and Medical Categories Staff, etc. etc. in respect of allotment of Pay Matrix and promotions also should be done away with and justice be administered.
8. Parity in pay structure and promotional scope for Common Categories with those working in the Central Secretariat/Ministries should be ensured.
9. Retain all the existing allowances and advances.
10-A. Constitute Joint Committee at each Ministry/Department level to resolve VII CPC anomalies, aberrations and injustice within a time frame manner, and powers for the same should be delegated to the Ministries to resolve their issues at the Ministry level. 10-B. Set-up National Joint Committee to discuss and resolve all VII CPC anomalies, aberrations and injustice within a time frame. 11. Ensure payment of arrear for PLB as per amendment in the Bonus Act, as was done in the year 2008. The All India Railwaymen’s Federation gives a clarion call to all railwaymen irrespective of their affiliation to any organization to participate in the Strike Ballot and exercise opinion in this regard.

Source: AIRF